TV highlights: The 87th Annual Academy Awards on ABC - The Washington Post
The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness
TV

TV highlights: The 87th Annual Academy Awards on ABC

By
February 20, 2015 at 6:22 p.m. EST
On the Sunday episode of “Girls,” Hannah (Lena Dunham, second from right) experiences an epiphany. (Jessica Miglio/HBO)

(All times Eastern)

Surprising-in-a-good-way hosts Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen take the reins of the "30th Independent Spirit Awards" (IFC at 5 p.m.), which honor 2014's lower-budget productions like "Love Is Strange" and "Whiplash."

On the latest "Black Sails" (Starz at 9), Miranda tries to save the island and Eleanor opens old wounds.

Sunday talk shows: "Fox News Sunday" (Fox at 9 a.m.) hosts Department of Homeland Security's Jeh Johnson; "White House Chronicle" (WETA at 9) has EcoPlanet Bamboo Group's Troy Wiseman; "State of the Union" (CNN at 9) features Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio); "Government Matters" (WJLA at 9:30) hosts former General Services Administration administrator Dan Tangherlini.

“This Week” (ABC at 10) has Homeland Security’s Jeh Johnson; “Newsmakers” (C-SPAN at 10) talks to Gov. Gary R. Herbert (R-Utah); “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo” (Fox News Channel at 10) hosts Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.); “This Is America & the World” (WETA at 10 and WHUT at 6 p.m.) discusses Japan’s latest innovations and technology; “Face the Nation” (CBS at 10:30) talks to Jeh Johnson.

Sunday night, the most anticipated and, for some, buttoned-up ceremony in the awards show slog, the "87th Annual Academy Awards" (ABC at 8:30 p.m.), brings out Hollywood's most polished to congratulate one another on last year's best films. Before the ceremony is the usual Oscars red-carpet fare, with E! broadcasting its coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. while ABC waits until a more apt 8 p.m. for a quick round-up with Robin Roberts.

An enemy tries to swoop in on Rose and Atticus's happiness on "Downton Abbey" (MPT and WETA at 9).

After an epic storm, Rick and the gang find a man who seems trustworthy on "The Walking Dead" (AMC at 9).

Major awards show be damned, HBO marches on, with Hannah experiencing an epiphany on "Girls" (HBO at 9) and Patrick throwing a Halloween party on "Looking" (HBO at 10).

— Rachel Lubitz